Free-of-chargework-holding seminars available

According to 1st Machine Tool Accessories, workholding may not always be the most glamorous part of machining, but it is one of the most important. For engineers, a strong understanding of work-holding principles is essential asit directly influences product quality, efficiency, safety and overall manufacturing costs.

At its core, workholding ensures that a workpiece is positioned securely and accurately during machining. This stability not only guarantees precision but also enables engineers to optimise operations, reduce waste and design parts that are manufacturable at scale.

Several key reasons exist whyevery engineer should understand workholding.Optimised workholding set-ups not only prevent workpiece movement, ensuring finished parts meet exact tolerances, they can also minimise defects, rework and wasted material, directly reducing manufacturing expenses.

Of course, production efficiency also sees an increase, where quick changeovers and standardised set-ups keep machines producing for longer. Here, the ability to select the optimal device – jig, fixture, vice or chuck – for specific part geometries and production volumes, is paramount. By understanding workholding, engineers can design parts that are easier to hold and machine, even when complex.

Safety is another critical factor. Properly held workpieces prevent dangerous accidents resulting from components that shift from the held position.

1st MTA believes knowledge of workholding is essential to developing skilled, confident engineers. That is why the company is offering free-of-charge work-holding seminars to educational establishments and training centres.These sessions cover best practice, principles and hands-on demonstrations of the latest equipment, helping to bridge the gap between theory and real-world application.

More information www.1mta.com

UK METALS INDUSTRY BECOMES THE EU CIRCULATORY MOVEMENT’S FIRSTOFFICIAL FOCUS

With the EU’s Ecodesign for Sustainable Products Regulation (ESPR) having entered into
force last year – a movement setting the standards for product circularity and sustainability
in the EU marketplace – many in the metal sector have not yet felt a sense of urgency to
begin their compliance journeys. However, with the EU recently revealing its Energy
Labelling Working Plan 2025-30, the industry needs to now prioritise regulation-readiness
more than ever before. In this article, Matthew Ekholm, DPP and Circularity Specialist at
Protokol, provides the inside track.
In simple terms, this new plan, published by the EU, highlights how iron and steel are among
the first industrial materials for ESPR action. It goes on to highlight how the delegated act
(information concerning the detailed breakdown of regulatory requirements for the
industry) is also just around the corner – expected in 2026.
The EU’s focus on the metals industry and looming ESPR deadlines is perhaps unsurprising
when considering that the industry is responsible for 5% of CO₂ emissions in the EU and 7%
globally.
With the EU’s 2050 climate neutrality target remaining a key driver behind the
Commission’s Circular Economy Action Plan (CEAP) – the framework upholding the ESPR –
the EU aims to reduce pressure on natural resources, prevent the production of waste and
toxic materials and ensure sustainable materials remain the key source circulating in the
marketplace.
The ESPR adds another layer of complexity to this, as it defines the standards and criteria for
the environmental performance of products sold within the EU, and is soon to mandate
Digital Product Passports (DPPs) to ensure products circulating in the specified sectors meet
the required sustainable criteria. The ESPR sets out a range of requirements concerning the
handling and composition of products. These include product durability, reusability,
upgradeability and reparability, as well as data on carbon footprints and recycled content.
All requirements which will be verifiable via DPPs and are set to impact any business placing
ESPR-regulated products in the marketplace.
As a key part of the ESPR, DPPs are fast-becoming a central force in ensuring a circular
economy prevails, as they will remain applicable across product groups, including (but not
limited to) the steel sector.

For the metals industry, the delegated acts, which are soon to be announced, will provide
companies with the detailed requirements they need to ensure the DPP mandate is met and
their products satisfy the sustainability criteria coherently. As the EU Commission plays a
central role in influencing the circular future of the European steel industry, DPPs will
support firms in their compliance with the ESPR.
DPPs, through inherent design, act as a lynchpin for circularity efforts by facilitating
information sharing that is vital to all in the value chain in terms of the sustainability
credentials of a product. They act as a digital record of a physical product, securely keeping
track of information about it from across its lifecycle, including data about its sustainability
credentials, such as the carbon footprint of its production and more.
With their built-in transparency, DPPs allow iron and steel manufacturers to reduce red tape
and streamline their path to EU compliance.
The UK steel industry has held a longstanding relationship with the EU, particularly as a key
target for UK steel exports. Simply, if they do not meet the ESPR requirements,
manufacturers risk being cut off from the market. This issue is particularly important when
noting the already highly competitive nature of the industry, and the need for modern steel
manufacturers to remain ‘up to date’ and timely if they want to remain relevant in this
competitive global marketplace.
Similarly, Brexit has largely affected the metals industry, with the sector facing various
challenges with the country’s departure from the EU. As the loss of EU-funded research and
development programmes has affected innovation, competitiveness and increased
administrative burdens, compliance with the EU’s ESPR can help ‘soften the blow’ for steel
manufacturers by ensuring firms remain ‘competitive’ from a sustainability perspective.
By strategically embracing DPPs, metals manufacturers can streamline compliance across
multiple regulatory fronts. Not only does this help satisfy ESPR requirements, but it also
supports alignment with the EU’s broader push for product circularity and decarbonisation –
a clear win-win.
With both the EU and UK governments deciding in May 2025 to link the two regions’
Emissions Trading Schemes (ETS), steel businesses across the EU marketplace are now
exempt from the Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism (CBAM) costs and administrative
burdens. Without this linkage or the improved market access in place, UK producers faced
the prospect of increased trade friction with the EU.
Aligning with the EU’s ESPR is not just a matter of regulatory compliance – it’s a chance to
strategically fuel this relationship. As the EU doubles down on sustainability and circularity,
steel producers that fail to meet these standards risk damaging access to a key market.

Compliance with ESPR offers the opportunity to future-proof operations, strengthen ties
with the EU, and commit to a greener future.
There are additional benefits to consider beyond aiming to remain competitive For example,
through the ESPR’s use of DPPs, administrative burdens can also be simplified for the sector
by streamlining compliance with other sustainability regulations, enhancing transparency
and facilitating data sharing across the value chain.
Ultimately, the EU is setting the standard when it comes to the 21st-century steel sector,
aiming to foster an eco-market via numerous regulatory shifts before it is too late. To
ensure relevance amid this vastly competitive market, companies that export to the EU
market must start considering compliance now with the EU movement or risk being shut out
totally.
DPPs can play a central role in helping the steel industry boost its sustainability credentials.
By offering detailed product insights, DPPs enable companies to navigate multiple layers of
regulation more efficiently and effectively.
As the European Commission pushes for a competitive, low-carbon steel and metals sector
through its new Steel and Metals Action Plan, aligning with the ESPR offers UK companies a
strategic path forward, one that supports compliance across several complex regulatory
frameworks simultaneously.
More information www.protokol.com

Affolter Group debuts AF140 precision gear hobber

The Affolter Group, a world specialist in high-precision gear hobbing solutions, has launched its state-of-the-art AF140. The company’s newest gear hobbing centre is designed for small gears up to 40 mm in diameter and a maximum module of 1.0 mm. Positioned between and replacing the AF90 and AF100, the AF140 delivers the strengths of its predecessors while introducing next-generation automation and connectivity features.

Affolter’s AF140 was developed in close collaboration with users and industry partners to meet the growing demand for simplicity, compactness, versatility and ingenuity in gear hobbing. Designed primarily for the watchmaking sector, the machine is equally suited for precision applications in micromechanics, aerospace, automotive, micromotors, robotics and medical technologies.

“With the AF140, we’re offering our customers a perfect balance between performance, flexibility and innovation,” reports Mikael Affolter, head of sales at Affolter Group. “Its compact footprint makes it ideal for workshops where every square centimetre matters, while its compatibility with existing loaders and the option of a robotic arm provide new levels of automation and productivity. Combined with remote service features, the AF140 represents a true step forward in precision gear hobbing.”

The AF140 reaches cutter rotation speeds of up to 16,000 rpm and workpiece rotation speeds of up to 5000 rpm. A new and customisable robotic arm option for automatic loading and unloading significantly boosts the productivity of the AF140, enabling easy automation and reliable 24/7 production. At the same time, the machine remains fully compatible with established loaders such as W20, W25, W31, AF45, deburring units and more. Built on the powerful Pegasus CNC platform, the AF140 provides digital integration with IO-Link sensors, simplified commissioning, and advanced remote service for real-time support and updates.

More information www.affoltergroup.ch

UK’s first HBZ AeroCell 160-400 machines installed

With demand in the aerospace sector continuing to rise, Moyola Precision Engineering has taken a bold step forward in its production capabilities – investing in the UK’s first HBZ AeroCell 160-400 five-axis horizontal machining centres from Bavius. The machines mark a major milestone in Moyola’s ongoing commitment to performance, innovation and global competitiveness.

In response to continued growth and increasing demand across the aerospace sector, Moyola launched a strategic R&D initiative to expand capacity and transformed its manufacturing approach for a major international aerospace programme. The project focused on developing a new method of manufacturing, incorporating innovative tooling strategies and a reimagined, highly efficient production workflow.

Central to this initiative was the installation of two HBZ AeroCell 160-400 machines – the latest arriving in February 2025 – configured as a fully integrated twin-pallet manufacturing cell and tailored for high-speed machining of large aluminium aerospace parts.

Lee Averill CADCAM engineering manager at Moyola, says: “The HBZ AeroCell set up has played a pivotal role in redefining our approach to large workpiece machining, consistently exceeding expectations in both speed and precision.”

Today, the AeroCell machines are operating at full production capacity. Thanks to optimised engineering, intelligent pallet handling, and a well-balanced takt time, Moyola

benefits from a highly stable and continuous machining process with minimal downtime an ideal setup for scaling production while maintaining precision and consistency.

This new capability has allowed Moyola to deliver on critical production commitments with greater flexibility and efficiency. The combination of high-speed machining and ultra-precise output means Moyola can continue to meet the demanding requirements of the aerospace sector with confidence.

More information www.engtechgroup.com

UMILL 1000 multifunctional machining centre released

With the introduction of the new UMILL 1000, EMCO is strategically expanding its range of universal machining centres in the five-axis simultaneous machining sector, thereby creating a bridge between the UMILL 750 and UMILL 1500 models. The new model was developed meet the growing demand for versatile, compact and powerful solutions that combine milling and turning operations in a single machine.

As a result of the synergy between the expertise of the Italian subsidiaries EMCO, EMCO MECOF and EMCO FAMUP, the UMILL 1000 represents a logical technical development of the proven UMILL 750. The project was developed as a concrete response to market demands for high productivity, application flexibility and easy integration into automated production lines.

The highly rigid portal structure made of cast iron and welded steel ensures optimum thermal stability and enables combined turning and milling operations on a single machine. Thanks to the 55 mm roller guides on the X and Y axes and the standard direct drives in the linear axes and torque drives in the A and C axes, this universal machining centre guarantees precise machining even with demanding workpieces. The machine offers generous travel distances (900 mm in X, 1000 mm in Y and 700 mm in Z), a large swivel range of the A axis (±125°) and a load capacity of up to 1000 kg.

The motor spindle with 15,000 rpm and a maximum torque of 138 Nm at a power output of 38 kW, standard with HSK-A63, enables effective material removal and perfect surfaces.
The tool magazine of the UMILL 1000 comes standard with 30 positions and can be expanded to 60 or 90 stations if needed, with quick change and random management to optimise time and ensure greater operating autonomy.

More information www.emco-world.com